Heavy Rains Expected for Weekend, Slight Possibility of Severe Storms

An unsettled period is shaping up for Arkansas, beginning Friday and continuing through Monday. A few severe thunderstorms would not be out of the question Friday evening and again on Monday. Damaging winds and hail around an inch in diameter would be the severe weather threats.

However, John Robinson, Warning Coordination Meteorologist of the National Weather Service at Little Rock, believes the main weather story is going to be the threat of heavy rain. The NWS Storm Prediction Center gives a 5% chance of severe storms for the Arkansas River Valley for Friday and a less than 5% chance for Saturday.

Through midday Friday, the bulk of the heaviest rain will remain to the north of Arkansas. Then, later Friday into Friday night and Saturday, a slow-moving cold front will sag southward into the state. Moisture from the remains of Pacific Hurricane Simon is likely to meet up with the front, bringing prospects for heavy rain to Arkansas.

Somewhat of a lull (though not a cessation of all the rain) will occur from Saturday night into Sunday. On Monday, a new weather system will move in, with another threat of heavy rain.

If everything shapes up the way it looks now, it’s very likely that some Flash Flood Watches will be posted for Arkansas over the long weekend.

Keep up with the latest weather forecast for the Arkansas River Valley region here.